Chris Sharma

For over 20 years Chris Sharma has been pushing and advancing the sport of rock climbing. Having grown up in Santa Cruz, California, Sharma began climbing at the age of just 12 years old. Since then he has established and completed some of the hardest climbs in the world, and has set the pace and standard for modern rock climbing.

At just 14 years old Sharma won the Bouldering Nationals, and a year later climbed a 5.14c in Virgin River Gorge, which at the time was the hardest rated climb in North America. Known mostly for his outdoor climbing prowess, Sharma has first ascents of 3 different V15 routes, and has 15 first ascents of 5.15a - 5.15b/c.

He also owns a climbing gym in his home town of Santa Cruz which opened in 2013 called Sender One, which has established itself as one of the premier gyms in the world. He spends most of his time living now in #Spain, establishing new and hard routes on the countries famous limestone and sandstone. His most recent being 283Catalan Witness the Fitness284 a V15 (8C), which is described as being a tunnel-like, horizontal roof problem at Cova de l’Ocell, north of Barcelona.

Chris, like many climbers, realizes the importance of stretching, flexibility, and balance in climbing. For these reasons Chris has been a long time practicer of both meditation and yoga.